Red Bank Studying How To Best Use 14 Acres At Former School On Dayton Boulevard

Wednesday, October 2, 2013
- by Gail Perry

Red Bank officials want to get as many people involved as possible in the development of the property that was acquired through the land swap with Hamilton County Schools. The city now owns the site of the old Red Bank High (later Middle School) that sits on Dayton Boulevard in the center of the commercial district. They want to do it right, said Mayor John Roberts, and are open to any idea for the best use of the 14 acres.

At the commission meeting Tuesday night, the mayor and commissioners said that they encourage residents to contribute suggestions of what to do with the property. The board of commissioners will hold several work-study sessions to present any ideas they have and to discuss others that might be brought to them. Also planned are several town hall meetings where the public is welcome. The city may also solicit requests for designs from multiple developers for the best use of the property.

Police Chief Tim Christol reported on the successful safety expo that the city sponsored last Saturday. During the four hours of the event, 150-200 people participated. On the child ID system, 29 children were added to the 200 already listed this year. The State Farm initiative against drunk driving signed up 18 teenagers. Child car seats were checked and 10 out of the 29 that were inspected were replaced with new ones that were installed properly. Also, several senior drivers were assessed and given advice for their safety.

Red Bank is joining the Hamilton County Coalition that had representatives at the expo to promote a drug take-back program. The city will now provide a place to take old and expired medications so they can be disposed of safely without harming the environment. Pharmacists at Bi-Lo, Walgreens and Rite Aid will partner with Red Bank in collecting the drugs that will ultimately be destroyed by the DEA.

City Manager Randall Smith told the commissioners that the abandoned property at 150B Goodson Ave. is now city owned. After a tree fell through the roof of the house in 2011 and the owner did nothing to make repairs, it became a foreclosure owned by the Veterans Administration. Mr. Smith thanked City Attorney Arnold Stulce and Congressman Chuck Fleishmann for the help in transferring the deed for the property. This will allow the city to tear down the structure and sell the land.

Commissioner Rick Causer announced that B&B Plumbing will be working as a contractor with WWTA. They will be replacing lines on the north side of Red Bank. Residents should expect the workers to come door to door to talk with them and explain what they will be doing.

A resolution was approved at the meeting Tuesday night which amends the 2014 operating budget to appropriate funding for the “impaired driving enforcement grant” for $20,000. This is a 100 percent grant to be used by the police department. It comes from the Tennessee Department of Transportation with no match required.

One new business was welcomed to the city. River City Insurance on Dayton Boulevard will have a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday.

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